Protection system



E. CORNWALL.

PROTECTION SYSTEM Filed March 22,

1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNvEm-on 770.5 Cornu/a lA-rToRN EY ,March 3o, 1937.

v 2 Sheei-s--SheetA 2 E. CORNWALL PROTECTION SYSTEM Filed March 22, 1933 INVENTOR RNEY March 30, 1937.

Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PROTECTION SYSTEM Enos Cornwall, Kansas City, Mo.

Application March 22,

10 Claims.

My invention relates to theft prevention means, and more particularly to a theft prevention system for preventing both daylight and night robberies particularly of safes or similar receptacles.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide an electrically operated tear gas device which releases the tear gas upon the movement of a door, such as the door of a safe, out of closing postion, said means releasing tear gas both internally of the safe or other receptacle and externally thereof. Y

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned character that is so constructed that any attempt to disturb the wiring conducting the electric current to the tear gas guns or other discharging apparatus will close the electrical circuit to actuate said tear gas releasing means.

It is another purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned character in which any number of tear gas releasing means may be provided to be actuated by the closure of the same circuit,V each of said tear gas releasing'means being provided with a fusible electrical element operating to set off the tear gas.

It is another purpose of my invention-to provide a new and improved tear gas discharging means or tear gas gun, which is simple in construction and in which the shell portion of the tear gas cartridge also serves as the barrel portion of the gun, and to provide means for detachably mounting such a combination shell and gun in a suitable holder.

It is another purpose of my invention to provide a tear gas discharging device or gun of the above mentioned character in a suitable holder for directing the same in any desired direction, said holder being provided with means for pre- 40 venting the discharge of wadding and other solid particles from the gun.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a tear gas apparatus comprising a discharging device comprising means for project- 7 ing the gas ina plurality of different directions so as to provide a spreading action of the tear gas when this is desired.

It is an important purpose of my invention to provide operating means for discharging said apparatus so constructed and arranged as to: prevent accidental discharge of tear gas by said apparatus, this being accomplished by providing an operating means that can only be moved, into position to initiate operation of said apparatus to discharge said tear gas, by a plurality of operations, and which comprises a foot operated controlling member constructed and arranged inV such a manner that operation thereof will i G0 not .cause the operators body to go through a 1933, serial No. 662,071

motion that might arouse the suspicions of a bandit.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the description of the drawings proceeds. I desire to have it understood, however, that I do not intend to limit vmyself to the particular details shown or described, except as dened in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective View, partly in section, of my improved theft prevention system as applied to a safe and cashiers cage.

Fig. 2 isa top plan View of one of the tear gasV discharging means.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof, partly broken away.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the combined gun barrel and cartridge.

' Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the short circuiting means for closing the circuit when the wiring is tampered with.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional View through a tear gas discharge device modified forlong range operation.

Fig. 12 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of a tear gas discharge device particularly adapted for use in position against a wall or in a safe.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional View of the device shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a circuit dia-gram of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of my improved foot operated controlling device.

Fig. 1'7 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section thereof.

Fig. 19 is a section taken on the line IQ-IS of Fig. 18.

Fig. 2'0 is a section taken on the line 2li-20 of Fig. 19, and

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary side view of said controlling device partly broken away, showing the parts in circuit closing position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in Fig. l is shown 4a safe 22, which is provided with a door 23, which is of the usual construction and in said safe at any desired location, preferably near the door and near the bottom thereof, is mounted a holder 24 for a tear gas discharging device. Also mounted within the safe and secured to a side wall thereof closely adjacent the 7 the nut 43 and said member 36.

door is a switch base 25, which is provided with a spring contact member 26.

Mounted externally of the safe 22 is another holder 21 for a tear gas discharge device, and if desired an additional holder, such as the holder 28, may be provided for a tear gas discharge device, the holder 21 being mounted on the wall 29 and the holder 28 being mounted above a Window 38 in a partition 3|, such as provided on the front of bank cages or cashiers cages. A battery 32 of suitable design is also provided for operating the tear gas discharge apparatus and a manually operated controlling switch 33 is provided, which is preferably in a secret location and may be provide-d with a closure 34 to prevent unauthorized operation of the same. If desired, a dummy switch 35 may also be provided, either near the switch 33 or at any other desired point where it might lead the person seeing the same to believe that it controls the protective apparatus.

Referring now to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the tear gas discharge device or tear gas gun comprises a base member 35 in the form of a cap or cup-like member, which has internal threads 31 thereon and which has an opening 38 therethrough, through which a headed, threaded member, such as the screw 39 having the head 48 thereon extends. A shouldered insulating sleeve 4| is interposed between the body portion of the fastening member 39 and the metallic base member or cap member 36 with the shoulder thereon engaging the inner face of said cap member 36, and an insulating washer 42 is mounted between A terminal clip 44 is clamped between the nut 43 and the nut 45 on the member 39. One end of a fusible electrical element or fuse wire 46 extends around the member 39 under the head 48 and is clamped between the head and the insulating sleeve 4| in spaced relation to the inner face of the cap member 36. The other end of said fusible element 46 is located under an insulating washer 41, said insulating washer being clamped in position r by means of a sleeve-like member 48, which screw threadedly engages the internal threads of the cap member 36, but which is reduced in external diameter so as to permit the tubular member or barrel member 49 of the tear gas discharge device to be received over the same and to have the screw threads 50 on the end thereof engaged with the internal threads 31 on the member 36.

Highly inflammable material producing a large amount of gas, such as gun powder 5|, is packed in the bottom of the sleeve-like member around the head 48 of the member 39 and surrounding the fusible element 46, and being confined by means of a pair of disk-like members 52 and 53 of fibrous sheet material, the member 52 being of such size as to fit in the bore of the sleeve 48 and the member 53 to fit the bore of the tubular member 49. The length of the sleeve-like member 48 is preferably such that it will be completely lled by the proper amount of gun powder 5| or similar explosive material, and the member 52.

In preparing the apparatus for use the fusible element is first put in place, the nut 43 being loosened to permit the insertion of the fusible element under the head 49 of the member 39 and being tightened up after said element has been put in place under said head to hold said end in fixed position. The free end of the fusible element 46 is then pushed down against the bottom of the member 36 and the washer 41 is put in place over the same. The sleeve-like member 48 is then screwed down in position. The powder 5| and the disk-like member 52 are then inserted and after this has been done the tubular member or barrel member 49 is screwed into position. The disk-like member 53 of fibrous material is then inserted in the inner end of the member 49 and engages the end wall of the sleeve 48. This is then sealed in position by any suitable sealing material, such as paraiiin, which is indicated at 55 in Fig. 8, this seal preventing the leakage of any tear gas producing liquid into the sleeve-like member 48 where it might affect the explosive material 5|.

A tear gas holder 56 is then inserted in place in the tubular member 49, said tear gas holder being shown as being made in the form of a capsule of frangible material, within which liquid tear gas is contained. If desired the tear gas producing material may be used in solid form. A

brous disk-like closure member 51 is then inserted in the tubular member and sealing material 58 is applied thereto to seal the outer end of the tubular member 49 thus preventing any accidental leakage of the tear gas producing liquid therefrom. A bead 59 is provided on the l exterior of the tubular member 49 between the ends thereof, and forming a rib thereon, and is provided with a notch or interruption therein at 69.

The holder 28 is shown more in detail in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and comprises a body portion 6I having a pair of side flanges 62, and having a transverse rib 63 extending inwardly from the inner face thereof, said rib 63 having a curved notch or recess 64 therein providing a pair of abutments 65 on opposite sides of said curved cutout portion. Extending forwardly from the transverse rib 63 is a longitudinally extending rib 66, it being clear from Fig. 5 that the rib 66 is integral with the rib 63. The rib 63 is spaced adjacent the middle of the body portion 6|, said body portion having a rear wall 61 of similar height to the flanges 62, and a second transverse rib 68 is provided spaced from the rib 63 and similarly shaped, said rib 68 being nearer the back 61 than the rib 63. The curved opening or recess in the central portion of the rib 68 is, however, smaller than that in the rib 63, and the rib 68 is provided with a reinforcement 69, extending rearwardly therefrom to strengthen the same and provide a strong abutment for the rear wall of the cap portion 36 of the load carrying or charge carrying member previously described.

The holder is further provided with a cover member 18 that seats on the fianges 82 and on the edge of the rear wall 61, and which is provided with a pair of transverse ribs 1! and 12 spaced the same distance apart as the ribs 63 and 68. It will be noted that the ribs 63 and the ribs 68 have the portions thereof that face each other extending substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the body portion. In a similar manner the portions of the ribs 1| and 12 that face each other are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to the cover member 19. Abutments are thus provided engaging respectively With the rear wall of the cap 36 and the shoulder formed where the annular edge of the cap 36 .projects outwardly from the tubular member 49. The rib 1| is provided with a curved cut-out portion 13, while the rib 12 is substantially straight across. The curvature of the cut-out portions or openings in the ribs 65 and 1| is such as to conform substantially to the curvature of the barrel portion or 1- -tubular body portion 49 of the charge carrying member, as will be evident from Fig;6. v

The cover member 18 is provided with pairs of projections or lugs 14 thereon that locate the y 5 cover Vrelative to the anges on the body portion.

`When the charge carryingmember comprising the tubular body 49 and the cap 36 is in position Yin the holder the bead 59 is so positioned that the gap or notch 68 therein receives the rib 66 to prevent rotation Vof Vthe charge holding member in the holder. The cover member 18 issecured to the body portion 6| by means of a plurality of screw threaded, headed fastening members that extend through suitable openings in 15 the cover and have screw threaded engagement 20 ed fastening members are also extended through openings in the body portion and in the cover, to clamp the holder in position on a suitable support. It will thus be seen that the charge carrying member isheld from movement in any direction and from rotation in the holder by the combination of devices described above when the cover member is xed in position onY the body portion of the holder.

VThe body portion 6| is generally rectangular,

but has a forward extension that is of reduced depth, which is connected with the main portion of the body portion 6| by means of an obliquely 'extending wall portion 19. Said portion of reduced' depth forms a forward extension on the body portion 6|, and tapers in a forward directionV to provide a reduced neck` portion thereon at 88, and a head portion 8| that is curved in all directions. The cover member is shaped to conform to the shape of the body portion 6| having an inclined wall portion 82 engaging the wall portion 19 and having a reduced neck portion 83 corresponding to the neck portion 88, and a head portion 84 corresponding to the head portion 8| in curvature and in general characteristics.

When the cover 18 is assembled with the body portion 6| the abutments formed by the wall portions at the neck portions 88 and 83 form a substantially annular inwardly extending rib portion or abutment that holds the forward end portion of theftubular member 49 in fixed posihead portion 84 at the neck portion formed by the portions 88 and 83 of the body portion and cover member of the holder, respectively. The head portion 8| has an inwardly extending substantially centrally located boss 85 of large cross section, and the head portion 84 of the cover member has asimilar boss 86, which aligns with the boss 85. A screw threaded, headed fastening member 81 extends through an opening 88 in the boss 85 and screw threadedly engages in a f threaded opening 89 in the boss 86, thus clamping the head portions of the device firmly together with the straight edge portions 98 and 9| of the body portion and cover member in firm engagement.

It will be noted that the boss 85 and the boss 86 each have a pair of inclined diverging faces 92 thereon, facing the opening in the end of the tubular member 49 and that these wall portions 92 tend to deflect the charge after it passes out of 75 the open end of the tubular member 49 laterally around the boss in opposite directions, the re mainder of the boss having a curved wall portion 93 providing a curved passage between the outer wall portions of the heads 8| and 84, which widenssomewhat in a lateral direction when the holder is viewed from a positionsuch as that in Fig. 4, and narrows at the extreme forward end of the head portion, this shape of the passage tending to produce a whirling action of the gases generated so that the same will tend to be thrown laterallyand outwardly in all directions, due to the centrifugal force as the same tend to pass in a curved path around the boss, causing the gases to be thrown upwardly, laterally and ina forward direction through the slots 94 provided between the head portion 84 on the cover member 10 and the head portion 8| on the body portion 6|, said slots having diverging walls so that the slots enlarge toward the front of the holder, said slots terminating short of a central opening 95 in the forward end of the holder, said opening being of greater transverse than vertical dimensions, so as to form a substantially elliptical opening in the front of the device, lugs 96 and 91 being formed on the body portion and cover member respectively, to space the opening 95 from the slots 94, the substantially straight abutting edges of the lugs 96 and 91 engaging when the screw threaded fastening member 81 clamps the parts of the head together. The head portion 84 is provided with a plurality of small openings 88 therein, which are spaced about the head portion 84 inV any desired arrangement that is found to be desirable to get the proper projection and diffusion of the gas from the discharging means within the holder.

'I'he bosses 85 and 86 are each provided with a longitudinal slot/99 and a transverse slot |88 intersecting the slot 99 so as to provide a seat for a headed pointed member |8I, which may be a tack-like member, which serves as an impaling member for the set of fibrous disk-like members provided in the tubular member 49 and the parts associated therewith. The headed member |8| is merely laid in the slot in the body portion 6|, and then when the cover member is put in place it will be held firmly clamped in position between said body portion and cover member. The rear wall 61 of the body portion is provided with an opening |82 therein, through which a conductor cable |83 is adapted to extend, and a boss |84 is provided on the body portion 6| that has a threaded opening therein for receiving a terminal screw |85, the purpose of which will be described below.

The holder shown in Figs. 1l and 12 is made with a body portion 6I that is substantially the same in construction as the body portion 6| previously described, having a similar head portion thereon and the various parts shown in Figs. 11 and 12 corresponding to the parts shown in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, are designated by the same reference numerals. The cover member 18 is also made in substantially the same manner as the cover member 18, and the parts that are the same on the cover member 18 as in the cover member 18 are designated by the same reference numerals in Fig. 12 as in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive. However, the body portion 6| is provided with a boss 85' corresponding to the boss 85, and the cover member with a boss 86 corresponding to the boss 86. The bosses 85 and 86' instead of having flat engaging faces and grooves for receiving an impalseated a tapering tubular member |08, which seats against the forward end of the tubular member 49 and is received between the annular inwardly directed ribs formed by the cooperating neck 5 portions 89 and 83 so as to x the tubular member |08 in position in such a manner as to be an extension of the tubular member I9, thermember |08 tapering so as to decrease in diameter in a vertical direction toward the forward end thereof and flaring laterally toward the forward end thereof, as will be evident upon reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

Theopening 95 is similar to the opening 95, but correspondsin shape and dimension to the interior end of the tubular member IDB, and is provided with a shouldered portion |09 in which the forward end of the member IOS seats to prevent its dislodgernent from within the head formed of the head portions 8| on the holder 84 on the cover member, respectively. The head portion 84 of the cover member is not provided with any small openings therein, however, as in the form of holder shown in Figs. 2 to '7 inclusive. The holder shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is used to project tear gas to a distant point, causing a gradual scattering, but a pronounced forward projection thereof instead of a wider diffusion thereof, as would be the case with the holder 28, or any other holder that is provided with a pluralityof small openings and slots therein.

The holder shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is the holder shown at 24 or at 21 in Fig. 1, the only difference between the holders 24 and 21 being in the location thereof relative to the vertical and horizontal. The holders 2li and 21 are so designed that the same will particularly direct the tear gas away from a surface against which the cover portion of the holder is clamped by the headed fastening elements 11, which pass through 4o the body portion and through` the cover member and engage suitable means upon which the holders are mounted, such as the wall 29 or the bottom of the safe 22. It is not particularly desirable to obtain any appreciable forward projection of the tear gas when the holders 21 or 24 are used in the position shown in Fig. 1, but it is desired to project the gases at an oblique angle and at the same time diffuse or spread the same laterally as much as possible. In order to accomplish this the holder shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is slightly modified from that shown in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, in the head portion thereof, the main body portion 6I" and the main portion of the cover 19" being substantially the same as previously described in connection with Figs. 2 to '7 I inclusive. However, the head portion 8| is of less depth than that shown in Figs. 2 to '1 inclusive, and extends at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the holder and the head portion 83" is made deeper and of such a shape that it vdoes not project at any point beyond the flat face of the main portion of the cover member 19".

The head portion 83'. is provided with a central boss I III, which has a face I I I that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member 49 and which extends transversely of the openings in the forward end of the tubular member 49. A headed screw threaded fastening member I I2 extends through the head portion 8 I and into a screw threaded opening I I3 in the boss IIU. The boss III] is so formed as to provide a partly annular groove H4 in the head portion 83, extending around on the forward side of the boss I I0, and the head portion 8| g5 is provided with a plurality of small openings I I5 in position.

arranged in any desired configuration and spaced to get the desired scattering effectv of theA gas, and a relatively large substantially elliptical lopening I|6 is provided in the head portion 8|" at the point where the forward edge .thereof meets the forward edge of the head portion 3,3", and this opening IIB is so located as tov-tend to project the gases passing therethrough in a forward direction obliquely so that the stream of gas will tend to pass downwardly and outwardly from the wally 29 in Fig. 1 and upwardly and outwardly' through the door opening in the safe in Fig. 1 in the two positions shown in Fig. 1 for the holder 21 and the holder 24, the holders 21 and 24 being the same except for the positioning thereof.

Slots that are somewhat arcuate in shape are shown at I I1 in Fig. 13 and in Fig. 14, which also are provided in order that the gases will be thrown laterally and outwardly from the wall or other member to which the holder may be secured.

Due tothe provision of the boss HB and the curved passage around the same there will be a centrifugal force set up by the Yflow of the-gas around the boss, which will tend to throw the gas laterally and outwardly through the various openings and slots in the device and diffuse theI same as it passes out throughlthese various openings in the holder.

A headed impaling member I I8 having a screw threaded portion I I9 engaging in a screw threaded opening in the boss III) is provided, which extends through a passage in the boss and which has a sharp point |20 projecting'rearwardly from the wall I II and is adapted to engage the ber disks or other wadding that may bel provided in the charge carrying member to prevent their passing out of the openings in the holder.

The switch base 25 is made of insulating material and has a channel |21 provided therein, through which the armored cable |21 extends. A screw |22 secures the spring switch element 26 Said spring switch element 26 is provided with an inwardly curved end |23, which is curled into a loop form and which, when in the position shown in Fig. 10, engages with a pair of screw contacts I2fi, to which the ends of the conductors |25 and I 26 provided in the cable |21 are secured. Thus when the switch element is in the position shown in Fig. 10 it is in circuit closing position. In operation the switch 33 is opened before the apparatus is set into operation, and the switch base 25 is fastened into position by suitable fastening elements extending through the openings |28, so that the curled or looped end |23 of the contact element 2% is in the path of the door 23 so that closing of the door will spring back the spring switch element 26, moving it away from the screw contacts |24.

rIhe cable |21 has the armored covering thereof cut off of the same at a point spaced from the end thereof, leaving the conductors |25 and |26 with f only the insulating material I 29 covering the same at a point where an obliquely extending cutting element |30 is embedded in the base member 25 with the cutting edge ISI thereon resting against said insulating cover. The cable is free to move readily along the inclined passage I2I if a pull is exerted on the same. Normally there isa slight amount of slack in the conductors so that there will be no cutting action exerted by the blade I3I. It will be noted, however, that if the cable |21 is tampered with by pulling on the same, the blade I3I will immediately cut through the insulation |29 on the conductors |25 and I 26short circuiting the Aswitch and `closing the fio" c M operating circuit of the tear gas protective apparatus. Of course, the switch 33 will have to be closed before this can take place, and this switch is closed after the door 23 has been closed 5 and locked, the circuit being held in open condition by the switch element 26 until an unauthorized person opens the door. Before an authorized person' again opensgthe door 23 of the safe he rst opens the switch 33 so as to prevent the accidental discharge of the tear gas.

LIn the `installation of the apparatus twopairs ofconductors enter the safe, as will be evident from the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 15, in whichthe safe is indicated at 22 by a rectangle.

The short circuiting element is indicated at |30V and thetear gas guns in the holders 24, 21 and 28 are indicated by these numerals. A conductor |39 leads ,from oneof the conductors |26 extending from the switch element 26 to the clip 44 on the tear gas gun in the holder 24, and a conductor |40 is connected with the metallic casing of the holder 24, andthe conductor |4|. is connected with the conductor |40, the conductors |39, |40 and |4| all having slack therein, as indicated by 15. The` conductor |26 leads out of the safe, as do the conductor |4|, the conductor |40 and the conductor |25. The, conductors |39 and |40 are provided in a cable |42, which is shown as being 0 ina slack condition in Fig. l, and the conductors |25 and |26 being contained in a cable |21 shown as being ina taut condition in Fig. 1.

The conductors in the cable |21 and in the cable |42 zare, however, spliced to conductors in 5 the cables |44 and |45 extending out of the safe, said `cables extending through a conduit |46 if desired, in such a manner that a conductor |26 and a conductor |4| are located in the cable |44, whereas the cable containsv the conductor |25 andthe conductor |40. The conductors |25 and |26 leading respectively from the cables |45 andY |44 are both taut as installed. The conductor |25 leads to the switch 33, `and a conductor' |41 ex tends from the switch 33 to one terminal of the battery 32, the conductor |40 extending to the other terminal of the battery and the conductors |40 and .|41 being located in a cable |48 leading to the battery 32 from the switch 33.

The conductors |26 and |4| are provided with branches |49 and |50, which lead to the holder 28, the conductor |49 leadingto the clip 44 and the conductor |50 to the terminal screw |05. The conductors |26 and |4| lead intov the holder 21. The discharge devices in the holders 21 and 28 are thus connected in parallel, the cable |44 leading tothe holder 21 and the cable |03 from the holder` 21 to the holder 28.

It will be seen upon reference to Fig. l5 that if the switch 33 is closed and the door 23 of the safe is opened, the circuit will be completed from the battery 32 through the conductor |41 switch 33, conductor 25, the switch element 26the ,conductor |26 and the conductors |39 and |40 tothe fusible element46 in the holder 24 discharging the tear gas therefrom. Substantially simultaneously therewith the fusible element 46 in the holder 21 will be caused to fuse, due to the fact that the circuit thereto is completed through the conductors |41, |25, |26, |4| and |40 and switches 33 and 26; and also the fusible element 46 in the holder 28 will be similarly energized as it is connected in parallel with the element in the holder 21 through the conductors |49 and |50. If the conductors extending out of the safe are pulled 7,; on in an attempt to disconnect thesame from the thecurved portion in each thereofshown in Fig.

apparatus within the safe, or to pull the same far enough away from the floor, or from the safe to permit sawing thereof, any such pulling will pull the taut conductors |25 and |26 and will close the circuit in the manner described abo-ve, due to vthe cutting action of the cutting edge |3| of the blade |30 on the insulating covering of the conductors |25 and |26, instead of by closing the switch 26 due to opening the door 23.

If desired a foot switch |5| may also be provided at a convenient point, as in the cage shown in Fig. 1, said foot switch being utilized to operate the, tear gas devices independently of the door actuated means described above, and being connected in the circuit by connecting one terminalV thereof `with one terminal of the battery 32 by a conductor |52, and the other terminal thereof with the conductor |26 by means of the conductor |53.. A conductor |54 may also be provided connecting the other terminal of the battery with the conductor 14|, although itis not absolutely necessary. The conductors |52 and |54 may be contained inV a cable |55.

When the switch |5| is closed the tear gas devices will be operated even though the switch 33 is open and the switch 26 is open, as the circuit from the battery 32 will be completed through' the conductor |52, the switch |5|, conductor |53, conductors v|26 and |49 to the tear gas devices 21 and 28 and the conductors |50, |4|, and |54 to the battery, and from the conductor |26 through the conductor |39 to the tear gas device 24 and either the conductorV |40, or the conductors |4| and |54, to the battery. f

The foot switch or foot control |5| is preferably so made as'to not be operable accidentally, but the controlling memberv thereof is so con-r structed that it is necessary to move the foot in two different directions to operate the same and the motion of the foot is a backward Sliding movement in a downwardly `inclined direction, thus causing any movement of the body of the operator to be such as would naturally occur l in a slightly backward direction, upon being startled by the display of lire arms by a bandit, or some similar threat. This is particularly advantageous; as it prevents a forward lunging, as would occur by a mere downward pressure of the footjwhich might cause a person to be shot that is attempt' ing to operate the foot switch. The foot control device |5| comprises a base member having anl inclined top wall |58 from which the side flanges |59 depend, said side flanges gradually decreasing in height, as will be evident from Figs. 16 and 21, from the height of the end ange or end wallV l |60 to a short curved end wall |6|, which makes the bottom end of the inclined wall |58 substantially flush with the oor or other support upon which the base member is mounted, said base member being provided with a forwardly projecting perforated ear |62 for securing the same to the ioor or other support, and having a pair of openings |63 in the top wall |58 adjacent the lower end thereof, through which securing elements may be passed for mounting the same on the oor or other support upon which` the con` trolling member is located.

The top wall |58 of the base member is provided with a pair of aligned slots |64, which extend longitudinally of the same, and a longitu- 'dinally slidable controlling member or foot engaging treadle or plate |65 is provided with a pair of lugs |66, which extend through the slots |64, said lugs being elongated in the direction of length of the slots |64 and fitting the same loosely, cushioning material |61 extending on both Sides of the lugs |66 so as to prevent any rattling of the lugs |66 against the side walls of the slots |66 and the cushioning material |61 also extending on the lower side of the upper lug |66 and on the upper side of the lower lug |66, the lugs |66 and the slots |64 being so related that the lower lug |66 reaches the end of its slot |64 in its movement in an upward direction before the upper lug |66 reaches the end of its slot |64, while, when moving in a downward direction the upper lug |66 reaches the end of its slot |66 before the lower. lug |66 reaches the end of its slot |64 during its downward movement. It will thus be seen that the movement of the member |65 is cushioned in both directions so as to make the operation thereof silent. This is very desirable to prevent any warning reaching the bandit that a person is operating the foot control to set the tear gas discharge apparatus in operation. 'Ihe cushioning material may be held in place on the lugs |66 by means of washers |68 or similar plate-like members that are secured in position by screw-threaded, headed fastening elements |69 entering said lugs |66. is held out of engagement with the metallic top wall |58 of the base member by means of a plurality of inserts |18 of fibrous material, which are mounted in recesses |1| p-rovided in the top member |58 and which project above the top surface of the member |58, thus preventing any scraping noise due to movement of the slidable member |65 relative to the base member.

The member |65 is provided with converging anges |12 at the lower end thereof, which are connected by means of a curved flange portion |13 receiving the heel of the shoe of. the operator, and may be provided with suitable corrugations |14 on the upper surface thereof to prevent any slippage ofthe foot of the operator. The foot pedal or slidable control member |65 may also be provided with a plurality of smooth faced portions |15 to carry suitable lettering or identifying data, should this be desired, which surfaces are depressed below the ribbed or corrugated surface |14.

The controlling m-ember |65 is further provided with a pair of spaced depending lugs |16, which are longitudinally aligned and operate in a slot ||1 in the top wall |58 of the base member, said lugs |16 defining a groove |18 between the same,

and being of such size with relation to the slot |11 as to be out of, contact with the sides and ends thereof during the sliding movements of the member |65 in the operation of the device.

A switch carrying bracket member |19 is mounted between the side flanges |59 of the base member, being secured thereto by suitable securing elements, such as the screws |80. A toggle switch |8| is mounted in an opening in the top of the bracket |19 and extends down into said bracket, being secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by means of the screws |82, and having the tiltable operating element |83, which is mounted in the groove |18 between the lugs |16. It will be obvious thatI if the switch is in an off position when the parts are in the position sho-wn in Fig. 18 that a downward movement of the slidable member |65 will throw the switch into an on position, and a return movement of the member |65 to its normal position shown in Fig. 18 will again move the switch to an off position. The end wall |66 of the base member is provided with a suitable opening, through-which the -in- The slidable controlling member |65'v sulating bushing the conductors |52 and |53 leading from said cable into the switch |8|.

The switch carrying bracket |19 is provided with a transverse depending wall |85, which has an apertured ear |86 extending therefrom, into which one end of a coil tension spring |81' is hooked, the other end of the spring |81 being secured to the lower lug |66 by means of the fastening element |69. A suitable member of.

rubber tubing or similar cushioning material is?4 slipped over the central portion of the spring |81 for a purpose to be described below. It will be obvious that the spring |81 will be tensioned'i upon downward movement of the member |65 and will return the member |65 to normal position upon release of the Samey bythe foot of the operator. l I

A locking or latch element |89 having an arm |96 engaging face to face withv the top surface of the top wall |58 of the base member is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the pivot screw |9| mounted in the top wall |58. Said latch member has an upstanding flange portion |92 thereon at the opposite end of the arm |90 from the pivot |9I, and said upstanding flange has a forward extension |93, thus providing a slot to accommodate the foot control plate |65 between said forward extension |93 andthe arm |98. One side edge of the control member |65 is provided with an offset therein providing a shoulder'at |96, with which the forward edge |95 of the upstanding flange |92 normallyengages to prevent any sliding movement in a downward direction of the slidable control member |65. position by means of a tension spring |96, which has one end thereof secured to the under side:

of the top wall |58 of the base by a screwthreaded securing member |91 and the other endv thereof to a slightly thickened portion |98 of' the member |89 by a similar screw-threaded fastening element |99.

A sleeve of rubber or similar cushioning material 299 may'be passed over the central portion of the coil spring |96, the tubular membersy 286 and |88 being so located that the same will engage with each other in case there is any movement of the springs |96 and |81 toward each other, which might cause the same to contact and causing a noise due to vscraping of. the coils of the springs over each other. The side plate |59 is cut away at 20| to provide for the passage of the coil spring therethrough in the operation of the lever in its movement from the full line position shown in Fig. 17 to the dotted lines position thereof shown in said figure.

In the operation of the foot control member the operator placesV his foot in position with the heel of the shoe against the inclined flanges |12 and has the outer side of his foot preferably in engagement with the flange |93 on the latch, the edge of the sole of. the shoe normally engaging with this ange, and a twisting movement of the foot about the heel as a pivot, in a direction such as to throw the toes outwardly, will throw the latch member in a laterally outward direction to disengage the forward edge |95 of the latch from the shoulder |96. in a rearward direction, that is, the foot is slid downwardly along with the member |65 by a backward movement of the foot, thereupon operating the toggle switch 58|. Upon removal of the foot from the device or merely slightly lifting Y |84 extends, the vconductor.` cable |51 extending through said A'bushing and.

The latch member |89 is held in locking Thereupon the foot is moved Cil "- the weight off the member |65, the switch |8| l so that there will be no noticeable click that might attract the attention of the bandit thereto.

What I claim iszl; The combination with va', safe, of a tear gas discharging device 4in said safe, electrical means for discharging the tear gas Yfrom said device including an armored conductor extending from Said safe and means for discharging said device when said container is tampered with comprising means to close saidcircuit toactuate said electrical dischargingmeans when a pull is exerted on said armored conductor.

2. The combination with a receptacle and a closure therefor, of theft prevention means comprising a tear gas discharging device within said receptacle having electrically actuated gas discharging means, closure operated means for energizing said electrically actuated means, manually operated means for rendering said closure operated means ineiective, and switching means for energizing said electrically actuated means discharging device in said safe, electrical means for discharging the tear gas from said device including an armored conductor extending from said safe and means for discharging said device f, when a pull is exerted on said armored conduc- 4'0 tor, comprising a short circuiting cutting element cutting the insulation on and bridging the conductors of an operating circuit to close the same when said conductor is pulled upon.

4. The combination with a safe and a closure therefor, of a tear gas discharging device in said safe, electrical means for discharging the tear gas from saidY device including an armored conductor extending from said safe, means for normally changing the electrical condition of said circuit to actuate said electrical discharging means comprising a switching device operated by movement of said closure out of closing position, and means for discharging said device when a pull isexerted on said armored conductor, comp rising a short circuiting element bridging the conductors leading to said switching device when a pull is exerted on said armored conductor.

5. In combination with a safe, of means for protecting said safe comprising an electrical cir- 6 cuit, switching means in said safe controlling means for closing said circuit when said conductor is pulled.

65 6. In combination with a safe, of means for protecting said safe comprising an electrical circuit, switching means in said safe controlling said circuit, an armored conductor extending from said switching means out of said safe, and means for closing said circuit when said conductor is pulled, comprising a short circuiting element in said safe actuated when said conductor is pulled to short circuit said switching means.

7. The combination with a receptacle, a clo sure therefor and locking means for said closure, of theft prevention means comprising tear gas discharging means within said receptacle, tear gas discharging means'externally of said receptacle, means on the exterior of said closure for operating said locking means, and closure controlled means within said receptacle independent of said locking means for substantially simultaneously actuating said tear gas discharging means upon movement of said closure from closing position, said closure controlled means being inaccessible from externally of said receptacleY kwhen said closure is in closing postion.

8. The combination with a receptacle, a closure therefor and locking means for said closure, of theft prevention means comprising electrically operated tear gas discharging means within said receptacle, electrically operated tear gas discharging means externally of said receptacle, means on the exterior of said closure for operating said locking means, and closure controlled means independent of said locking means for substantially simultaneously actuating said tear gas discharging means upon movement of said closure from closing position, comprising switching means within said receptacle inaccessible from externally of said receptacle when said closure is in closing position and controlling the circuit to both said discharging means to simultaneously supply electrical energy thereto.

9. The combination with a receptacle, a closure therefor and locking means for said closure, of theft prevention means comprising electrically operated tear gas discharging means within said receptacle, electrically operated tear gas discharging means externally of said receptacle, means on the exterior of said closure for operating said locking means, closure controlled means independent of said locking means for substantially simultaneously actuating said tear gas discharging means upon movement of said closure from closing position comprising switching means within said receptacle inaccessible from exteri nally of said receptacle when said closure is in closing position, and controlling the circuit to both said'discharging means to simultaneously supply electrical energy thereto, .and manually operated means entirely independent of said closure operated means for rendering said switching means in said receptacle ineffective, said manually operated means comprising electrical switching means remote from said closure. 10. The combination with a receptacle, a closure therefor and locking means for said closure, of theft prevention means comprising tear gas discharging means within said receptacle, tear gas discharging means externally of said receptacle, electrically controlled means within said receptacle for actuating said tear gas discharging means upon movement of said closure from closing position, foot operated means entirely independent of said closure and externally of said receptacle for substantially simultaneously operating said internal and external discharging means independently of said switching means in said receptacle, and manually operated means for rendering said electrically operated means ineffective, comprising means independent of said Cil locking means remote from said closure and ENos coRNwALL. 

